Redux | Fashion in the 80’s: A Few Past Editorials from the Pages of Paris Vogue & More, Featuring Some of the Original Supermodels

AWHILE AGO, WE STUMBLED upon a treasure trove of past fashion editorials from (mostly) the late eighties to the early nineties, the very time when the supermodel was making her ascension into the fashion world. The groundwork for this meteoric rise was laid in 1981, when Life magazine "cited Shelley Hack, Lauren Hutton, and Iman for Revlon, Margaux Hemingway for Fabergé, Karen Graham for Estee Lauder, Christina Ferrare for Max Factor, and Cheryl Tiegs for CoverGirl by proclaiming them the 'million dollar faces' of the beauty industry." (Wiki) These models, while not as well as known as the would-be supermodels that would follow, had negotiated (previously unheard of) and exclusive deals with major cosmetics companies, making them instantly recognizable and their names known to the public. It was also around this time that French model Inès de La Fressange became the first model to sign an exclusive modeling contract with the haute couture fashion house, Chanel. Television and billboard advertising also began using models to endorse products, essentially replacing film stars.

Linda Evangelista by Hans Feurer for Vogue Magazine UK, March 1987

"By the 1990s, the supermodel became increasingly prominent in the media. The title became tantamount to superstar, to signify a supermodel's fame having risen simply from 'personality'. Supermodels did talk shows, were cited in gossip columns, partied at the trendiest nightspots, landed movie roles, inspired franchises, dated or married film stars, and earned themselves millions. Fame empowered them to take charge of their careers, to market themselves, and to command higher fees." (Wiki)